Lodi, Cal by B. A. Stephens

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Mar 7, 1878

Lodi, Cal.

By B. A. Stephens

TWENTY-ONE sermons have been preached here to date, March 3. The attendance and interest have been fair when the weather has been good. The people generally are poor, and unable to buy books, but take tracts quite eagerly when given them. Opposition from the first has been strong, although we have tried to move carefully, that no unnecessary prejudice might be aroused.

This evening the Methodist pastor will try to prove from the Bible that man has an immortal soul. We shall review him to-morrow evening. Last evening an expression of the people was taken upon the Sabbath question, twenty-two, out of thirty present, voting that Saturday (the seventh day) is the Sabbath of the Lord. When the Sunday side was called for, only two young men arose, who had entered the meeting late; but, on being asked to give the chapter and verse for their belief, sat down in confusion, as an elderly gentleman remarked, "There are no mourners on the bench for Sunday!" We trust some will obey the truth. We desire the prayers of all for the furtherance of the work here. Invitations have already come for us to preach in two country school-houses. Pray for the work in San Joaquin county. B. A. STEPHENS.